ROSEMONT, Ill. - Defending NCAA and Big Ten Champion Penn State was chosen as the conference favorite for the 2014 volleyball season as voted on by the Big Ten coaches, it was announced on Thursday. After claiming their sixth national title last season, the Nittany Lions top the preseason poll for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons.

Nebraska, which finished second in the Big Ten last season, was picked to finish second in 2014. After appearing in the NCAA championship match last season, Wisconsin was selected third this season, while Illinois was picked fourth in the voting. Purdue rounded out the top five in the preseason poll.